Rice Business Report September 2019 September 2019 Rice Business Report | Page 29

Rice Business Report September 2019
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The draft agreement stems from a November 14, 2018 request from the Florida Tomato Exchange that
Commerce terminate the 2013 Suspension Agreement on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico. On February 6,
2019, Commerce notified the Mexican signatories that it would withdraw from the 2013 Suspension
Agreement. On May 7, 2019, the 2013 Suspension Agreement was officially terminated and, as a result,
Commerce continued its AD investigation on imports of fresh tomatoes from Mexico.
Today’s action exemplifies the Trump Administration’s priority of enforcing our trade laws, while ensur-
ing that trade agreements are fair, reciprocal, and benefit American farmers, workers, businesses, and
consumers. Tomato producers across America, including those in Florida, Texas, and Arizona, will benefit
from this agreement.
The Department’s Enforcement and Compliance unit in the International Trade Administration, which
negotiated today’s draft suspension agreement, is responsible for vigorously enforcing U.S. trade law
and does so through an impartial, transparent process that abides by international rules and is based on
factual evidence provided on the record.
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